Designer Dino Liu's nomadic lifestyle means he always has a fresh canvas on which to experiment, enabling him to introduce his ideas to a wider audience.
Interior designer Dino Liu is never short of ideas. Unfortunately, his clients aren't always able to visualise them. His solution has been to demonstrate them in his home. In the past 10 years Liu has moved house seven times to put his thoughts into practice, gain first-hand experience with designs and show potential customers 'the real thing'.
His nomadic lifestyle may be a hassle, but Liu says it is satisfying. 'Unlike other designers, if I have a quirky idea I must execute it and try it myself first,' he says. 'If it looks good and works, I will suggest it to my clients. Some clients can't visualise an idea without seeing the real thing,' says Liu, who runs the furniture shop Natural High in Sai Kung.
Liu and his wife found a three-storey house in Tai Po's remote Sha Lin Villa about a year ago. The 2,800 sq ft complex is a visually inspiring retreat with sea and mountain views. Liu decided the main design objective was to ensure the house was in harmony with its natural surroundings.
To this end, he used numerous pieces of glass to 'connect' the interior of the house with the outdoor area. A huge sheet was installed in the living room to allow an unobstructed view of the terrace. The upper floors were extended to the end of what was originally their balconies. Glass bi-fold doors ensure the view is not obscured.
One idea Liu wanted to try out was combining oriental with western elements. He sourced a plethora of items, including old doors, pig troughs, clocks and furniture from China, Thailand and elsewhere in Asia. Western features include a minimalist kitchen, colonial-style sofas and stained glass mounted on a couple of old Chinese doors to create the feel of a chapel.